DEAR READERS: Pet owners older than 70 who had chronic pain said their pets helped them relax, motivated them to stay active and promoted good habits that can relieve pain. This all suggests that pets may be part of a pain-management toolkit, researchers reported in the Journal of Applied Gerontology.

The survey group also cited expenses, care burdens and grief over losing a pet as sources of stress, and the researchers are studying alternatives to pet ownership, such as regular contact with pets in community settings. (Medscape/Reuters, 7/22)

Assisted-living facilities should allow incoming residents to bring their animal companions, depending on the pets’ condition and age, and provided the animals are seen by a veterinarian every six to nine months. Group-home veterinary services, including companion animal euthanasia, are available in many communities as mobile veterinary services become more popular and much needed for our aging population.

Dogs can be incredible catalysts socially and emotionally, notably in memory care units, where they help bring back happy dog-related memories from residents’ earlier years. Volunteers with their own easygoing dogs may wish to help out in their communities in this regard after securing a certification of good health, stable temperament and anti-rabies vaccination for their dogs from their veterinarians.

As for younger generations, adoption of rescued dogs and cats from local shelters seems to be trumping pure-breed and designer-breed commercial puppy mill purchasing. Much of the latter is stupidly done online, and many people have sent money and been defrauded.

Never buy a pup in a poke with a click of your mouse!

DEAR DR. FOX: I have three rescue chihuahuas -- 12, 12 and 9 years old. We got them all about three years ago. They eat 1/3 cup kibble and a little cooked chicken twice daily.

I have noticed that two of them are getting a little chubby, so after reading in your column about the many people who rave about your homemade pet food, I decided to make it. It made a lot, so I made patties and froze three in a pack.

My guys were transformed. They circled the kitchen cleaning each other’s bowls! And I will make more this week, as the first batch is almost gone! -- L.M., Boynton Beach, Florida

DEAR L.M.: I appreciate hearing how well your dogs have come to accept my home-prepared dog food recipe. (This is available to readers on my website, drfoxonehealth.com.)

Many people have reported increased energy and improved appetites in their dogs after being fed this recipe. Whole foods make for whole dogs!

Most importantly, in addition to regular exercise, there should never be any exertion soon after dogs have eaten (ideally two meals a day); otherwise, there is always the risk of sometimes-fatal gastric torsion (bloat), especially in deep-chested breeds. This condition is probably aggravated, if not triggered, by soy and other ingredients in manufactured dog foods.

A very strict feeding time should be followed, and the dogs be given time outdoors beforehand to evacuate as needed. Any change in their behavior, such as loss of appetite or seeming depressed, can be more easily noted when their daily routines are set by the clock.

Above all, dogs should be weighed every month when transitioning onto a new diet to determine if they need to be fed more or less, after a wellness examination where the veterinarian will determine if the dog needs to lose weight.

Obesity is an endemic human and dog health crisis in most developed countries; so are food allergies and ingredient intolerance-related health problems. When we know what we are eating, and feeding to our animal companions, we may know better health for all.

ANOTHER COMPANY RECALLS PIG EAR CHEWS FOR DOGS

The Lennox Group recalled Rawhide Express brand pig ear chews for dogs that were shipped to distributors and retail stores from May 1 to July 3, becoming the second company to do so amid an investigation into possible salmonella contamination. At least two dogs that ate Lennox’s pig ears became sick, according to a company statement.

The FDA made a strong statement regarding pig ear dog treats, “advising that consumers avoid all pig ear pet treats and retailers stop selling all pig ear treats at this time.” (CBS News, 7/29 and 8/2)

For more, visit: truthaboutpetfood.com/fda-issues-pig-ear-dog-treat-warning/

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I just wanted to see if there is a place to turn in bad vets, like you can for regular doctors.

My cat had crystals in his urine. I had taken him to this same vet before for this problem. I called, and they said to bring him in right away. I took him at 9 in the morning, and by noon I had not heard anything, so I called and was told that the doc hadn’t had time to see him yet. So I waited, and at 4:40, the vet called and said he was going to give him a pill and check on him in the morning.

By morning, he had died in his little carrier. He had been left to suffer.

This vet should have stayed and taken care of him, knowing what crystals will do to a cat. If he had really looked at my cat, he would have known how bad off he was. He called the next morning and said he was going to do surgery, but that my cat had died before he could. It has made me sick knowing he could have been saved, but this vet did not care. -- D.N., Eagle Point, Oregon

DEAR D.N.: From what details you have shared, I am deeply disturbed by the obvious suffering that your cat must have experienced.

Cats unable to urinate go into agony, then shock, and finally collapse when the bladder becomes fully distended with retained urine.

This is an emergency condition for all cats, and many do get this problem. Owners must be on the alert for it at all times, checking the litter box daily during cleaning and noting if their cats begin to strain, sometimes in front of them, as though to display that they are having problems urinating. Sometimes there is evident blood-spotting.

You should write a full account with times and dates and file a complaint to your state’s board of veterinary examiners, which licenses practicing veterinarians, as well as to the Better Business Bureau. This is very important action to take in order to help other animals who may come to this veterinarian, who could already have a record of other instances of malpractice.

There is surely no legitimate defense in this instance -- there could be no error in diagnosis of your cat’s condition, and no reason to delay passing a catheter and flushing out the crystals and mucous plugs to relieve the distended urinary bladder.

DEAR DR. FOX: My 9-year-old beagle mix is usually easygoing. But for the past week, when he sleeps next to my 13-year-old beagle mix, he growls -- despite the fact that the elder isn’t doing anything or touching him.

What could be causing this growling? -- L.H., Cleveland, Ohio

DEAR L.H.: The easy answer is Grumpy Old Dogs.

Like most of us as we get older, our dogs can get irritable, not wanting to be touched in certain places or struggling when getting up or lying down, especially due to arthritis in the back and joints. Osteoarthritis is very prevalent in dogs and cats today, as discussed in a recent column. I would have this possibility checked out by his veterinarian at his next wellness appointment.

In the interim, try a few drops of fish oil in his food daily (ideally from wild salmon, and certainly not krill, for reasons spelled out on my website) for its anti-inflammatory qualities. Also add up to a teaspoon of chopped fresh turmeric and ginger, or half a teaspoon twice daily of each, if powdered. Start with a small quantity so he gets accustomed to it.

My massage book “The Healing Touch for Dogs” has helped a lot of older dogs, and those who like water benefit from regular swims in safe waters. Look out for toxic blue-green algae this summer!

I doubt that he has early onset dementia, but this is a possibility. If so, the above supplements, plus 1,000 international units (IUs) twice daily of vitamin D3 may help. Increase the dose by 500 IUs each week until you reach 2,500 IUs twice daily, then do the reverse, lowering the dose down weekly to 1,000 IUs.

MOST AMERICANS WANT TO SAVE THE WOLF

Regarding my article about wolves being protected (or not) under the Endangered Species Act -- which reflects the nation’s political and ethical divisions -- I am happy to report that of those who responded to the Trump administration’s proposal to allow renewed hunting and trapping of the gray wolf, the numbers opposing the move came to a staggering majority! More details can be found at earthjustice.org.

HOPE FOR WOLVES AND LIVESTOCK: NONLETHAL CONFLICT PREVENTION METHODS

In an effort to reduce the number of wolf conflicts with livestock, and the number of wolves killed in response, the organization Howling For Wolves has recently partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services, part of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).

For details, see the full press release at: howlingforwolves.org/news

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I recently received information about the harmful effects of Simparica oral tick and flea medication.

Hopefully you can share some evidence-based information as to its safety. -- W.F., West Palm Beach, Florida

DEAR W.F.: I have done an extensive, documented review on these various oral and topical anti-tick and flea medications, which most veterinarians are continuing to sell to their clients, along with pet food suppliers and large grocery and drug stores.

For details, visit my website (drfoxonehealth.com) and pull up “Companion Animal Risks of Flea and Tick Insecticides.”

I find this whole issue a reflection of a brainwashed society that has come to accept the risks of pesticides because of the well-advertised self-proclaimed benefits by the manufacturers. This brainwashing has been so successful that most farmers believe they cannot farm without pesticides. The net result is insect pesticide resistance and the need for more and stronger insecticides, while beneficial insects and species that help control crop pests are killed, and our food and water are contaminated by such chemicals.

Insanity, indeed. Organic farmers are helping recover agriculture and sanity. So are holistic veterinarians who offer alternatives to control fleas and ticks for clients who want to make the effort and not adopt the easy way out by giving their animals these chemicals on a regular basis. For my holistic, integrative approach, see “Preventing Fleas, Ticks and Mosquitoes” posted on my website.

Products like Simparica and Bravecto are widely advertised in veterinary journals, giving the impression that they are safe for companion animals. But go online and you will find many contrary reports and opinions, such as the following:

FOUR FLEA, TICK PRODUCTS LINKED TO SEIZURES, ATAXIA

Details: avma.org/news/javmanews/pages/181115h.aspx

NEW YORK STATE BANS DECLAWING CATS

“About bloody time,” as we say in my country of origin, where no British veterinarian would consider declawing cats as a routine service for their clients. For details about the harmful consequences of this radical surgical mutilation, visit my website, drfoxonehealth.com.

The New York bill outlaws a variety of declawing surgeries unless medically necessary for the cat, and imposes a fine of up to $1,000 on veterinarians who perform them, the New York Times reported.

Cat declawing involves severing through tendons and nerves and removal of part of the toe/finger bone. The practice is banned in many European countries and Canadian provinces, as well as the U.S. cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Denver. However, the New York State Veterinary Medical Society opposed the bill, arguing in a statement that there were circumstances in which declawing would be best for the well-being of cats and owners, and that the ultimate decision should be left up to veterinarians in consultation with their clients.

Other vets supported the bill. Rochester, New York-based veterinarian Michelle Brownstein said she stopped offering the procedure 15 years ago when she became convinced it caused cats to develop chronic pain or long-term behavioral problems.

“The end result is a barbaric procedure that results in the mutilation of the animal,” she told the Associated Press. “Frankly, if you’re worried about your furniture, then you shouldn’t be getting a cat.”

TOXIC ALGAE THREATENS DOGS IN AFFECTED WATERWAYS

A dog died after playing in the St. John River in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where toxic blue-green algae blooms are frequent. Veterinarian Colleen Bray says the dog’s symptoms are consistent with blue-green algae exposure, and dog owners are urged to avoid the area. (CTV, Canada, 7/14)

In most regions of North America currently experiencing climate change-related increases in heat and precipitation, ideal conditions are being created for the proliferation of toxic algae in fresh-water lakes and streams. This puts dogs who drink contaminated water at risk.

Dog owners and walkers, beware! Also, remember that hot pavement can blister dogs’ feet, and in hot and humid weather, they need extra water to stay cool and to avoid heat stroke.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox’s website at DrFoxOneHealth.com.)